Milwaukee Male Chorus History

The roots of the chorus date back to 1950, when it was formed as an employee activity at the AC Spark Plug Division of General Motors. The name changed from AC Spark Plug Male Chorus to AC Electronics Male Chorus to Delco Electronics Male Chorus as the Company name changed through the years.

In 1973, the chorus incorporated under the name of the Milwaukee Male Chorus and became an independent, non-profit, charitable service organization. The Stenz-Griesell-Smith American Legion Post 449 became our sponsor in 1982, and our name was appropriately changed to The Legion of Song.

Though we are still associated with the Post, we have gone back to the Milwaukee Male Chorus, the name under which we were originally incorporated. We perform throughout the year at civic, fraternal and private functions, as well as local American Legion Post activities and competitive events.

Current Roster

First Tenors

Ryan Clark

Dan Kaminski

Second Tenors

Steve Butz

Steve Erdman

Tom Knox

Baritones

Kevin Coerper

John Dorsey

Bob Russell

Ron White

Basses

Gene Bartkowski

Pat Bissen

Eric Saunders

Reuben Ziehisdorf

Director

Rob Clark

Accompanist

Linda Kowalski

Affiliation

Associated Male Choruses of America Affiliation www.amcofa.net

“Good Singing, Good Fellowship, Public Service” is the motto of the Associated Male Choruses of America, Inc. (AMCA). The organization had its motivation in the success of the Intercollegiate Musical Council, Inc. organized in 1914 and created by the University Glee Club of New York City. Clayton W. Olds, a graduate of Cornell University and a member of the University Glee Club, became enthused with the idea that America needed more glee clubs and the way to get them was through the promotional efforts of a central cooperative organization. Representatives from 12 glee clubs from New York met at the Sage Foundation in New York City on March 10th and 11th, 1924, at which time the Associated Glee Clubs of America was born.

Among the more famous names in this group were Cyrus H. K. Curtis, Dr. Walter Damrosch, Otto H. Kahn, Adolph Lewisohn, G. Schirmer, and Frederick Steinway. Mr Olds was elected President and served in this office until 1945. A number of annual concerts were held during the following years and all were successful. On July 1st, 1945, the corporate name of the Association was changed to The Associated Male Choruses of America, Inc.

The AMCA is composed of adult male community choruses and has a membership of approximately 500 men. The choruses are organized in two regional districts ranging from Upper Michigan to North Dakota. During the year each district holds a Big Sing concert, hosted by a local chorus, in which each member chorus performs individually and with the massed chorus. Most of the members of the choruses are amateur singers who are devoted to the cause of quality music for male voices and who cherish the fellowship of singing together.

Places We Have Performed (in recent years)

American Legion Post 449, Brookfield

Bradley Center

Brookfield City Hall

Buffalo, NY

Center For The Performing Arts

Gwinn, MI

Governor’s Mansion

Howard Village

Italian American Club, Kenosha

Knights of Columbus Council 3702

Luther Haven

Luther Manor

Marquette University, Al McGuire Center

Marquette, MI

MATC Auditorium

Miller Park

Milwaukee County Stadium

Milwaukee Catholic Home

Milwaukee War Memorial

Munising, MI

Muskego City Hall

Negaunee, MI

Oak Creek Community Center

Our Father’s Lutheran School

Pabst Theater

Pulaski Inn, Cudahy

Ramsey Woods Residence, Cudahy

Rhinelander, WI

Rockford, IL

St. Gregory Church

Veteran’s Park

Wisconsin Memorial Park

WITI - TV6

Wood Hospital

WTMJ - TV4

Zablocki VA Hospital